Page 9 of Ruined

Gable:I can make it fun.

Cutler:Oh my God. Please stop.

Gable:Admit it, you’relaughing.

Cutler:I’m smiling enthusiastically.

Gable:That’s good enough for me.

The restaurant Cutler chose seemed unusually quiet. Of course, that was why he had chosen the place. Its carefully spaced tables, perfect lighting, and general ambiance made it the perfect romantic spot. Cutler showed at five minutes to seven, anticipating a wait. Since Gable often didn’t get off work on time, Cutler never knew what time he would show.

“Reservations for Maine,” Cutler said as he approached the host.

The man dipped his chin. “This way. Your party has already arrived and is waiting.”

Cutler bit back a smile as he followed the small guy through the restaurant to a table near the window. Gable sat, looking relaxed while sipping white wine. He was so fucking sexy. The restaurant had a dress code. Gable fit right in. Cutler loved the way Gable transformed, becoming whatever he needed to be to blend into any situation. Every side of him was gorgeous.

Gable turned his head at Cutler’s approach. The smile that lit his face couldn’t be faked. A light shone from the inside out. Gable was genuinely happy to see him. Cutler couldn’t resist stealing a quick kiss before claiming his seat.

“You beat me here.”

Gable laughed. “I had to make up for being late that one time.”

Cutler couldn’t stop smiling. “I survived it.”

For a moment, they simply sat staring at each other while smiling like idiots. Through four months of dating, they had been like this: happy. They never fought. It was just a peaceful coexistence with incredible sex.

Gable set his wine aside and leaned forward. His expression turned serious. “I have something to say.”

That didn’t sound good. “Okay.”

Gable took a breath as if steeling himself. “The last four months with you have been the best of my life. I’m so fucking grateful we met.”

The tightness in Cutler’s chest got worse. This sounded like a speech gearing up to end them. “But?”

A hint of confusion crossed Gable’s features. “There’s no but. This has been the best four months of my life.”

Relief poured through Cutler. “Same. I had given up on the idea of there being anyone out there for me. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Gable flashed him the sweetest of smiles. “All day, I thought about how best to express myself, because outside of playing the part at work, sometimes I’m not very sure of who I really am. That probably doesn’t make sense, but I used to do nothing but work and that became my identity. Then, of course, at work, my identity is whoever they say I am. Sorry, I know I’m rambling. It’s just that… damn. What I’m getting at is, I love you.”

Cutler blinked. He had gotten carried away trying to keep up with Gable’s rapid speech and trying to anticipate where he was headed. Cutler hadn’t seen that coming. Gable looked like he held his breath. He released it for half a second to say more. “I know thatwasn’t very romantic.” He immediately went back to holding his breath.

Cutler laughed. He couldn’t help it. If he had fantasized about anyone confessing their love to him, that definitely wouldn’t have been the speech he pictured. This was better. It wasn’t the heat of the moment. This was a thought-out confession. It was perfect. Real. “I love you too.”

Gable’s chest caved as he released the breath he had apparently still been holding. “You don’t have to say it back. I just need you to know how I feel. It’s got to be hard dating me. I know I have this job and I’m not always around and—”

Cutler set his hand on Gable’s, stopping his nervous chatter. “There’s no way you think I’m the type to say I love someone, if I don’t mean it. I’m not that nice.”

The adorable smile Cutler loved reappeared. “I think you’re nice, but no. You wouldn’t say it if you didn’t mean it.”

Again, they held each other’s stare in silence. A server appeared, breaking the spell. He set a glass of red wine in front of Cutler.

Cutler’s eyebrows snapped together. “I didn’t order that.”

The waiter smiled. “It’s from the gentleman at the bar. He says you’re very beautiful.”

Gable twisted in his seat. “What the fuck? Am I not sitting right here?”

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